welfare state

noun

1. a state in which the welfare of the people in such matters as social security, health and education, housing, and working conditions is the responsibility of the government.

welfare state

noun

1. a system in which the government undertakes the chief responsibility for providing for the social and economic security of its population, usually through unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, and other social-security measures

2. a social system characterized by such policies

welfare state

¹

1. An economic system that combines features of capitalism and socialism by retaining private ownership while the government enacts broad programs of social welfare, such as pensions and public housing.

welfare state

²

1. A state or government that promotes public welfare through programs of public health, pensions, unemployment compensation, public housing, and the like. The expression welfare state is often used by those hostile to government intervention in these areas.

Word History and Origins

Origin of welfare state¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

It slashed spending on defense and poured the difference into the welfare state.

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But so far, attempts to trim the welfare state to accommodate other spending claims are failing.

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The party, founded by Juan and Eva Perón in the 1940s and long associated with Argentina’s welfare state, remains a formidable force but failed to mobilize disenchanted voters as inflation eased from its historic highs.

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Raising taxes only drives away the businesses and wealthy taxpayers governments need to finance their generous welfare states.

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The first showed beyond doubt that America’s welfare state did little to alleviate poverty and much to perpetuate it.

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Related Words

• social democracy